Best wishes have been pouring in for ward 1 councillor Leon Kruyshaar injured in a crash with an A Re Yeng bus.
Affectionately known as the “TikTok councillor” for his ever-growing presence on the platform, Kruyshaar was travelling with a colleague on Paul Kruger Road on March 4 around 07:30 when the accident happened.
“When I turned right to stop by the Caltex garage at the corner, a bus came from behind. So it was totally on my blind side. I was looking for traffic coming from the front and it hit me,” Kruyshaar said.
Kruyshaar and his assistant Elsje Truter were injured as a result.
“Within 10 minutes, we had all sorts of people around, the police, wardens, EMS (emergency medical services). Elsje was able to get out and call for help.
“I couldn’t get out, my door was smashed and so were my ribs, I had to pull myself over the centre console to get to the others because paramedics couldn’t open the driver-side door and I got out.”
ER24, XXX Towing, TMPD, and other responders attended the scene.
Kruyshaar said it was through pure adrenaline that he was able to communicate with responders and move minimally as he suffered extensive injuries.
He suffered cracked ribs, damage to his left leg and a concussion and Truter also sustained a broken collarbone and an injured elbow.
Kruyshaar was admitted to Muelmed Hospital and commended the staff for their assistance.
While in hospital, doctors discovered a lung infection so he is also receiving treatment for that as well. He said the crash was a blessing in disguise as he wasn’t aware of the lung problem.
Kruyshaar also expressed his appreciation for the messages of support that he has been receiving.
“I’m getting so many, I must honestly tell you, I’d just like to thank my community for the support and affection, care and concern for me.
I will be back soon, I’m already working as I’m lying here, I’m still escalating issues and so forth. I’d also like to thank my team, Elsje Truter and my other PA Chanda Oosthuizen. They both kept communicating with the public and are dealing with day-to-day matters while I am in hospital recovering,” said Kruyshaar.
Here are some of the well wishes that residents and colleagues have been sending:
“Best wishes to councillor Leon Kruyshaar for a speedy recovery,” said ward 92 councillor, Leanne de Jager.
“From our community’s side, it’s heartbreaking that this happened and we just extend our good wishes to him and hope that he feels better soon to continue the work that he’s doing in our area,” said Hercules CPF secretary Johan Cloete.
“I was very sorry to hear about the accident and I hope that he recovers from his injuries soon. We miss him in the ward as our councillor that we can also talk to about our complaints so yes, he must be back on his feet quickly and back at work,” said waste management and by-law inspector Johan Scholtz.
@leonkruyshaar13
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